Sources close to the government says that the Presidential election
will likely be held either on 3 or 7 January, 2015. It was reported that
the Department of Election has suggested 10 January for the poll, while
the government had requested to hold the election on 3 January.

However, the authorities of the Ministry of Law and Order had
objected the suggestion to hold the election on 10 January, owing to
security reasons on his Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to Sri Lanka. Pope
Francis will arrive in Sri Lanka on 13 January.

Therefore, the EC and the government are trying to come to a mutual
understanding to hold the election on 7 January, the source said.